Background: This study aims to explore the epidemiological patterns of shoulder injuries in professional baseball. Methods: The transaction lists of the `Major League Baseball` website were screened for injuries from 2011 to 2016, inclusive. Only players that were placed on the `Disabled List` were included in the study. Our database included the player`s position, injury location, injury cause, and time spent on the Disabled List. Results: A total of 3090 injuries were recorded; 511 (17%) were shoulder injuries, making it the most vulnerable anatomic location in baseball (N = 511). Of the 511 shoulder injuries, 132 (25.8%) were due to inflammation, making it the most common cited cause of shoulder injury. Most shoulder injuries occurred in April with 125 (24%) injuries, while June and May came in second and third with 89 (17%) and 81 (16%) injuries, respectively. The pitcher was the player most prone to injury, as it constituted 78% of the injuries. The average time spent off by a shoulder injury was 69 days, which implicated substantial economic losses for the injured athlete`s club. Conclusion: Shoulder injuries are prevalent in professional baseball. The overhead pitching motion puts the shoulder at risk and accounts for the high incidence of its injuries.
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